My journey through photography

Looks like an angel

“You look like an angel…” I am not sure what was so special about that particular spot on that specific tree, but this Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) used all of its aerial and acrobatic skills to peck away at it on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. From what I could tell, the warbler held on to the branch with its feet and used its outspread wings for balance. In the second image, it looks like the warbler was using a pendulum-like motion to generate momentum.

The bird’s body positions remind me of artistic portrays of angelic beings that I have a seen in multiple museums and books and I felt blessed to have had the chance to see this relatively common bird in an unusual way.

I love Benjamin’s commentary. Here correctly noted the way that the bird’s feet were holding on tightly to the branch as it opened its wings for balance. I like your choice of the word “mystical” to describe the images–it captures the feeling that I experienced when looking at the photos.

Thanks, Laura. You and I share a love of behavior shots. Static portraits are nice and it’s easier to control things like the background if the subject is sitting or standing still, but there is something more dynamic and interesting in capturing action.